Rocking thirds
Two neighbouring chord notes rocking back and forth, soft and sweet. One of the ostinato patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need E (thumb, 1) and G (middle finger, 3).
Count and play
Count "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &" (say "and" for &). Play E on 1, then G on 1&, then E on 2, then G on 2&, then E on 3, then G on 3&, then E on 4, then G on 4&.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: B and D. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Rocking thirds on piano?
Two neighbouring chord notes rocking back and forth, soft and sweet. The right hand alternating two chord tones. Musicians call it two-note ostinato 3-5.
Is Rocking thirds hard to play?
It is an intermediate pattern. Learn it with your right hand alone at 60% speed first, then play it over a chord loop.
Which songs use Rocking thirds?
Lovely by Billie Eilish & Khalid, Unstoppable by Sia and Who Says by Selena Gomez and The Scene use Rocking thirds. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.